Decolonizing people: An understanding of Pashtun indigenous community vulnerability to climate-induced displacement

Climate change threatens global security. It causes numerous changes in livelihood patterns and demographics, leading to climate-induced displacement. Indigenous people are particularly vulnerable but also inherently resilient to climate risks and displacement. Indigenous communities’ dependency on natural resources increases their vulnerability to climate-induced displacement. This study examines the vulnerabilities of Pashtun indigenous communities to the adverse impacts of climate change. This study aims to explore the climate-induced displacement of Pashtun indigenous communities in the light of a decolonizing research framework. This study examines the environmental impacts of British colonial policies on the Pashtun indigenous community. Indeed, climate change affects the water cycle, rainfall, forest formation. It reveals that climate change causes conflicts due to the shortage of livelihood resources, natural disasters, and displaced Pashtun indigenous communities from their native land. The colonial policies of the British and their post-colonial period continuation increase their vulnerabilities to climate-induced displacement in this region. It reveals that colonization intersects the Pashtun indigenous community's vulnerability to climate-related displacement. Consequently, it is argued that decolonization of colonial policies and protection of indigenous communities’ rights and resources would significantly decrease the climate-induced displacement of indigenous communities from their native land.